Former Manchester United and Manchester City midfielder Owen Hargreaves says Pep Guardiola decision to stick with Raheem Sterling ahead of Kelechi Iheanacho can only be explained by the manager.

Iheanacho was a late substitute in Man City 1-2 loss to Arsenal in the semi-finals of the Emirates FA Cup played at Wembley, making history as the first ever player to be used as a fourth substitute in the history of the competition when he came on for Sterling in extra-time.

Yesterday he wasn’t listed for action by Guardiola in his matchday squad for the Manchester Derby against Manchester United, a decision which shocked Hargreaves considering the Nigerian netted the winner in the reverse tie at Old Trafford last year.

” Maybe there’s something the coach (Guardiola) knows that we don’t know else Iheanacho who scored the winner should have at least made the bench, ahead of Sterling”, Hargreaves said.

” Sterling has struggled for form and goals this season, unlike Iheanacho who has been prolific in front of goal despite limited playing time. I can’t understand picking Sterling ahead of Iheanacho only Guardiola can explain”.